Archbishop marks Armistice Day at the Cenotaph

The Archbishop met with service chaplains before joining the Act of Remembrance on Whitehall

The Archbishop of Canterbury joined service personal at the Cenotaph yesterday for the Act of Remembrance.

The moving ceremony began with the Last Post being sounded by a bugler from the Scots Guards, the final note marking exactly 95 years since the guns fell silent in France and Flanders on 11 November 1918.

Archbishop Justin said: ‘At this time of year it’s essential that we remember and give thanks for all those who gave their lives for the sake of freedom in the two world wars, and also remember those who still risk their lives as servicemen and women in our Armed Forces.

‘It’s a time to recommit ourselves to the cause of peace and to seek to play our own small part as agents of reconciliation.’

Before the service, the Archbishop visited the Ministry of Defence strategic headquarters on Whitehall where he met with service chaplains, alongside military and civilian staff, in the Memorial Courtyard. He was also updated on current military operations.

The Archbishop was welcomed to the MOD by the Parliamentary Under Secretary of State, Lord Astor, and the Chief of the Defence Staff, General Sir Nick Houghton.

General Houghton said: ‘It was both a pleasure and a privilege to meet the Archbishop of Canterbury and highlight the hard work of service personnel and defence civilian staff. Christianity stands alongside other faith groups as a foundation for many within the Armed Forces and we are delighted to further our strong relationship with the Church.’

The Archbishop of Canterbury joined service personal at the Cenotaph yesterday for the Act of Remembrance.

The moving ceremony began with the Last Post being sounded by a bugler from the Scots Guards, the final note marking exactly 95 years since the guns fell silent in France and Flanders on 11 November 1918.

‘At this time of year it’s essential that we remember and give thanks for all those who gave their lives for the sake of freedom in the two world wars, and also remember those who still risk their lives as servicemen and women in our Armed Forces,' the Archbishop said.

‘It’s a time to recommit ourselves to the cause of peace and to seek to play our own small part as agents of reconciliation.’

Archbishop Justin meets the service chaplains. Left to right: Chaplain of the Fleet, the Revd Scott Brown; Chaplain General of the Army, the Revd Jonathan Woodhouse; and Chaplain in Chief of the RAF, the Ven Ray Pentland.

Before the service, Archbishop Justin visited the Ministry of Defence strategic headquarters on Whitehall where he met with service chaplains, alongside military and civilian staff, in the Memorial Courtyard. He was also updated on current military operations.

The Archbishop was welcomed to the MOD by the Parliamentary Under Secretary of State, Lord Astor, and the Chief of the Defence Staff, General Sir Nick Houghton.

General Houghton said: ‘It was both a pleasure and a privilege to meet the Archbishop of Canterbury and highlight the hard work of service personnel and defence civilian staff. Christianity stands alongside other faith groups as a foundation for many within the Armed Forces and we are delighted to further our strong relationship with the Church.’